Kaigun right back at it in Man o' War

ELMONT, N.Y. – Kaigun, a horse who appears to thrive on racing, will make his third start in six weeks in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Man o’ War Stakes at Belmont Park.

In four starts this year, Kaigun has a head win over Wake Forest in the Grade 2 Pan American and, most recently, a second to Da Big Hoss in the Grade 2 Elkhorn at Keeneland.

“Had he had a better trip, he probably could have won,” said Norm Casse, assistant to his father, Mark. “He’s a horse that’s in really good form. He needs things to set up for him.”

In 2014, Kaigun finished second to Real Solution in the Grade 1 Manhattan at Belmont.

Others pointing to the Man o’ War include Twilight Eclipse, who won this race last year, Biz the Burse, Morandi, Wake Forest, Can’thelpbelieving, and possibly Closing Bell or Go Around.

On Monday, Wake Forest and Morandi worked a half-mile in 52.46 over a soft Belmont inner turf course. While the time may appear slow, there was a triple set of orange traffic cones up, keeping horses well off the rail. The pair came through the stretch in 23.45 seconds.

Go Around and Closing Bell also worked in company over the turf, going five furlongs in 1:01.67.